The building, which was vetted Monday by the city’s Old Town Local Review Board, is slated for the vacant lot at the southwest corner of Mercedes and Fourth streets, a parcel that abuts the Town Square land where Bernie Truax is building his marketplace project.

The planning blueprint for the historic district, the Old Town Specific Plan, allows four-story buildings on that land if at least one of the floors is residential, or office space, and parking is provided.

The applicant, listed as Bridget Herdman, also has designed an option where the fourth floor is used for more hotel rooms, but that would only be permitted if the City Council approves an amendment to the specific plan.

Valet parking for the hotel has been proposed due to the limited space for parking in the underground garage, according to the staff report for the board. That valet service will be free per a proposed condition of approval that has been recommended by staff.

The hotel will feature an outdoor pool, gym, lobby, bar and space for a future restaurant.

If the project is eventually approved it will further boost the number of available hotel rooms in the historic district, which has become a popular landing spot for visitors in town for Wine Country weddings, Canadian tourists and day/weekend trippers.

[…] Development Co. is building a 150-room luxury hotel and a new parking garage on Third Street, Tony Lee is building a four-story hotel at the corner of Mercedes and Fourth streets and a new Best Western Plus is taking shape near the northern entrance to the historic […]